Fifty years ago the 2nd Air Division and the Royal Air Force fought side by side in the air war over Europe. While the RAF bombed Germany at night, the 2AD carried on with high level precision bombing raids by day. Together they formed a formidable alliance and a last friendship.

When the 2AD returned to Norwich for its 43rd annual reunion in 1990, the RAF saluted their old ally with a first-rate tribute.

In a stirring ceremony the RAF WYTON Military Band wowed the Yanks with an hour of precision marching and military music, played only as the British can, as the RAF COLTISHALL Honor Guard paraded the standards of their 6 Squadron, 41 Squadron and 54 Squadron.

“The tribute is,” said RAF COLTISHALL Warrant Officer and Parade Adjutant Brian Sutherland, “if they didn’t do their business 50 years ago, we wouldn’t be here today.

“It is our tribute to them for allowing us to be here today.”